Europe's radical new coupe

Electric cars are very expensive: that’s a fact. But General Motors wants to change that with its latest concept, the “Rak E”.

Touted as being a car for “younger drivers and those on a very tight budget”, the new concept from Vauxhall and Opel reportedly has potential to be mass produced, with GM claiming the car “could revolutionise urban transport”.

The diminutive Rak E is powered by an electric drivetrain with a 100km range and a 130km/h top speed. GM says the car weighs about one third of a modern small car (a good estimate would be about 400 kilograms).

The company also claims that its low-riding stance and tandem seat layout would make the car “agile and fun to drive”.

?Rak E" Concept.

Only three images and a small amount of information have been released about the car, but GM says the Rak E has been inspired by the Opel Ampera (Chevrolet Volt).

Style-wise, the Rak E appears to share a few styling similarities with the Ampera: the juxtaposed white on black body-work, for instance, as well as the drop-down headlights and angular front bumper.

In profile, the Rak E’s sleek raked roofline and “naked” rear wheels almost give it a motorcycle-like appearance.